courtyard

noun

court·​yard ˈkȯrt-ˌyärd How to pronounce courtyard (audio)
Synonyms of courtyardnext
: a court or enclosure adjacent to a building (such as a house or palace)

Synonyms of courtyard

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Examples of courtyard in a Sentence

The apartment overlooks a courtyard. a series of lunchtime concerts in the museum's open-air courtyard
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An open-air entry courtyard is anchored by a mature olive tree planted in a mound of ornamental grass. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 31 Aug. 2026 Thick brown and gray mud coated the surfaces of school benches, walls and notebooks while the school’s courtyard was filled with sediment. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 In kitchens, courtyards, bedrooms and on the streets, women shared jokes, secrets, gestures of care and moments of freedom. — Photovogue, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026 Perhaps a swimsuit on a chair, or in an inner courtyard balcony, but what are these people thinking, displaying their underwear? — Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for courtyard

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of courtyard was in 1552

Rhymes for courtyard

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Browse Nearby Words

court tennis
courtyard
cous
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Cite this Entry

“Courtyard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/courtyard. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

courtyard

noun
court·​yard -ˌyärd How to pronounce courtyard (audio)
: a court or enclosure next to a building
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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